The Indianapolis Colts suffered an improbable loss on Sunday.
After the Titans erased their 14-0 first quarter lead, you never really got the feeling the Colts would end up on the winning side. Even when they got the ball back with a chance to win in overtime, we refused to believe.
Frank Reich did everything possible to give the game away, and the same can be said for Carson Wentz, who turned in a performance that reminded you why he was benched in Philadelphia and subsequently run out of town.
Given that Wentz is still a polarizing figure amongst talking heads, his mistake-filled outing was bound to result in some hot takes on Monday.
As he likes to do, Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd took the bait and spread a wild rumor that the Colts’ franchise — locker room, coaching staff, front office, etc. — has split opinions on Wentz’s long-term outlook.
Colin Cowherd Claims the Colts are ‘Split in the Building’ on Starting QB Carson Wentz https://t.co/HFSKzBfPlj pic.twitter.com/UxgEiSrUtI
— Stampede Blue (@StampedeBlue) November 2, 2021
A Colts insider refuted Colin Cowherd’s rumor about Carson Wentz.
Um, this isn’t Philadelphia. One poor performance from a quarterback doesn’t send a properly-run organization into full-blown panic mode.
If you trusted that Cowherd, a radio host, obtained reliable insider knowledge, then that’s on you. “The Herd” co-host claims to have sources with whom he’s close to, and loves to spread the occasional sweltering rumor.
Remember, this is the same guy who “reported” live on air that Russell Wilson was seeking a trade to the Giants, one of the most dysfunctional franchises in the sport, because his wife, Ciara, wanted to be in New York for career reasons.
Taking Cowherd’s sketchy track record into account, we got immediate pause when we stumbled across this rumor.
Well, as quickly as this scoop made the rounds on social media, insider Zak Keefer of The Athletic stopped it in its tracks.
That sounds about right.
Everything we’ve heard about Wentz from actual reporters suggests he has the full support of his coaching staff, teammates and front office.
Fans shouldn’t need insider information to know that, though. Every time Wentz is sacked, a handful of teammates sprint over to pick him up. Every time Wentz turns the ball over, which has been few and far between this season, almost the entire Colts sideline gives him words of encouragement.
Say what you will about Indy’s ceiling and the overall talent on this roster. We won’t push back on that. One thing that can’t be questioned, though is the culture and the respect Wentz has in the locker room.
Again, this isn’t Philadelphia.
Let this serve as a lesson. If Cowherd is the source behind a rumor, you should probably second-guess the legitimacy behind it.
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